Your business information technology infrastructure does more than facilitate smooth operations. It can significantly affect your interactions with people outside your company, including your treasured customers, suppliers, and the rest of the world.
Like your car, your business technology needs constant review, maintenance checks, optimization, and upgrades. Failing at these will make your system unreliable, causing headaches, costly downtimes, damages, and, in some cases, frustrated customers.
According to a 2020 survey, the global average cost of enterprise server downtime was USD$ 400,000 per hour. An optimized and reliable IT infrastructure could help prevent downtime losses. But how do you keep your business running smoothly and efficiently? Here’s your roadmap to optimizing business IT infrastructure. Let’s start by understanding the basic concepts.
What Does Business IT Infrastructure Cover?
Modern and basic IT infrastructure components typically include:
- Hardware or physical equipment includes servers, desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones, printers, network devices like routers and switches, and data storage solutions.
- Software is a collection of programs and applications that run on your hardware, like operating systems, productivity suites, and custom-developed software for your business needs.
- The network is responsible for connecting all your devices. It allows data and resource sharing. For example, cabling, routers, switches, and firewalls.
- Security measures comprise activities protecting your IT infrastructure from unauthorized access, data breaches, and cyberattacks.
- Data storage is where you house all your business’s digital information. Think physical hard drives, solid-state drives, and cloud storage solutions.
All these elements work together to create a functional and secure environment for your business operations. That’s why each component must be considered a company asset. Proper asset management means availing yourself of services by Propel Technology and similar IT experts in your area. These companies employ skilled professionals who provide valuable optimization insights and tailor-made solutions aligned with your business goals. They can help you get the most out of your infrastructure.
A well-optimized system can increase productivity, reduce costs, enhance security, and improve scalability. In other words, it’s the secret sauce that takes your business from good to great. Here’s a guide to get you started:
1. Assess Your Current IT Landscape
Before you can optimize, you need to understand what you’re working with. Take a comprehensive inventory of your entire IT infrastructure and evaluate the age and performance of its components.
A strong IT infrastructure demands that your system be powerful enough to handle your current and future business processes. Conducting a thorough assessment helps you gain valuable insights into areas that require optimization in addition to your infrastructure needs.
2. Declutter and Streamline
Imagine your computer desktop – cluttered with unused icons and outdated programs. That’s what a bloated IT infrastructure can look like. Streamline your system by:
Identifying Unused Applications
Eliminate unused apps that take up valuable storage space and processing power. Streamlining your software solutions reduces licensing costs, minimizes compatibility issues, and improves overall system performance.
Consolidating Servers
Consider consolidating multiple servers running at partial capacity. Replace them with fewer, more powerful machines. This saves energy and simplifies management.
Standardizing Hardware and Software
A mishmash of different hardware and software versions can create compatibility headaches. Strive for a more standardized environment for easier maintenance and updates.
If you must upgrade your hardware components, invest in high-performance servers, computers, and networking equipment. Doing so can significantly improve the speed and reliability of your IT infrastructure. It might cost more upfront, but the long-term benefits far outweigh the initial investment.
3. Use Automation
Your team members have better things to do than manually configure settings and perform repetitive tasks. Consider tools that can automate tasks like:
- Software patching and updates
- User provisioning and de-provisioning
- Data backups
Leveraging automation tools and technologies streamline routine processes, boosts efficiency, and frees up your team to focus on more strategic initiatives—from email marketing to inventory management.
4. Tap Cloud Solutions
One of the easiest ways to optimize your business IT infrastructure is by embracing cloud technology. Cloud computing offers a host of benefits, including:
Scalability
The cloud allows you to easily scale your resources up or down as your business needs evolve.
Cost-Effectiveness
You don’t need upfront investment in expensive hardware. With cloud computing, you only pay for what you use.
Improved Disaster Recovery Option
Cloud services include robust disaster recovery solutions, ensuring your business can bounce back quickly from unexpected events.
Migrating some or all of your operations to private, public, or hybrid cloud infrastructure frees valuable physical space, reduces maintenance costs, and improves accessibility for remote employees.
5. Reinforce Enterprise Security
Your business IT infrastructure is a treasure trove of sensitive data. That’s why you need robust security measures to secure your business operations and customer data.
Here are some best practices:
Implement a layered security approach
Use firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and unfailing anti-virus software.
Regularly update your security software
Hackers constantly innovate and exploit vulnerabilities. Your defenses need to keep pace.
Educate your employees
Train your team on cybersecurity best practices. Touch on areas such as phishing awareness and strong password hygiene.
Remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry. In addition to implementing these methods, adopting a proactive security posture is crucial—even for small businesses. Ensure business continuity by developing and updating your disaster recovery plans.
6. Monitor Performance
Monitoring your IT infrastructure for potential problems or assessing whether it’s providing the desired business value is crucial. Keep an eye on these metrics:
Server performance
Are your servers running at capacity? Are there any bottlenecks causing performance issues?
Network activity
Are there any unusual spikes in network traffic? This could indicate a potential security breach.
Application uptime
Are your critical applications running smoothly? Any unexpected downtime can disrupt your business operations.
7. Seek Continuous Improvement
Foster a culture of continuous improvement within your organization. Encourage feedback, promote knowledge sharing, and empower your team to explore new technologies and methodologies. Adopting continual learning and adaptation ensures your business IT infrastructure remains optimized for the long haul.
The Takeaway
A well-oiled IT infrastructure is the foundation for a thriving business. Without a solid system, your business operations can quickly spiral into chaos. The same holds if you don’t have the right IT infrastructure.
These steps can help you maximize your setup, ensuring peak performance, security, and efficiency. However, optimization is an ongoing journey rather than a one-off trip. Always revisit your technological assets to ensure they can support your business growth and success in the foreseeable future.